China Array Plastics Showcases New Thermoplastic Applications for First Time at Show

Growing full service plastics injection molder to feature new components molded from polysulfone and polycarbonate at ChinaPlas 2008.

China Array Plastics, a full-service injection molder of high performance thermoplastic (HPP) materials, headquartered in Pittsfield, Mass, USA, will showcase its newest high-end applications at Chinaplas 2008 in booth W1F59. Manufactured at the company’s state-of-the art molding facility in Wuhan, China, the applications will include plastics components for the dairy and food service industries molded from new grades of Solvay Advanced Materials’ Udel P1700 NT* polysulfone (PSU), and Lexan** polycarbonate (PC) resin from SABIC Innovative Plastics. Also on display will be highly-filled proprietary compounds for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding components. China Array opened its plastics injection molding facility in the Zhuankou Industrial Park in Wuhan in 2006.

The dairy applications, molded of Udel P1700 NT polysulfone, are used on a continuous basis for gathering and distributing milk at dairy farms. To withstand this punishment, they require excellent strength, as well as clarity to observe milk flow. Udel PSU was selected for these performance requirements, as well as for its resistance to cleaning chemicals, exceptional toughness at extreme temperatures, and FDA compliance. For the food service industry, tough, virtually unbreakable Lexan PC resin was selected for the hinged cover of a food processing machine, weighing more than 1 kg. This large part also requires clarity, cleanability, and high impact strength. China Array provides this part completely assembled with stainless steel inserts, a liquid silicone molded gasket, and a stainless steel latch.

According to Carl Olson, vice president, Sales & Marketing, China Array Plastics, the dairy and food service industries are among the company’s core markets.

“We are seeing dramatic growth in dairy and food service applications, both of which require FDA compliant materials such as polycarbonate and polysulfone, which are also known for their outstanding strength and resistance to harsh cleaning conditions after repeated use. Working with global suppliers such as SABIC Innovative Plastics and Solvay Advanced Materials, we are at the cutting edge of new and enhanced grades of these materials, enabling us to deliver these material choices as value-added solutions to our global customers.”

With clamp tonnage from 50-150T, China Array Plastics is among the first in China to specialize in custom molding high-performance thermoplastics – such as PSU, polyetherimide (PEI), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) – used in demanding, high-tech applications. China Array Plastics also offers multinational OEMs operating in China tremendous advantages vs. importing parts, including higher quality, faster delivery, lower manufacturing costs, and highly trained U.S. and local expertise.

China Array’s capabilities further underscore its growth strategy to differentiate itself as a market leader and innovator in the injection molding of high-performance thermoplastic materials in Asia. Recent developments demonstrate the value of such a specialized approach: China Array is now producing and delivering HPP products locally in China, to both domestic Chinese manufacturers as well as multi-national customers. The company is continuing to serve and target high-end niche segments where these materials are increasingly in demand, such as the medical, electronics, fluid-handling, and aerospace industries where high-value, low-volume applications are typical. In support of its world-class injection molding expertise, China Array Plastics also offers customers advanced engineering, mold design, application development, and testing services to further support customer growth and innovation.

“We are unique and different from other injection molding companies operating in China,” said Russell Johnson, president and founder, China Array Plastics. “Molders of commodity materials are everywhere in the country, but custom injection molders of high performance thermoplastics for global OEMs are almost non-existent.”

Johnson also points out that consumer demand is changing by the day as living standards improve across China, which is also driving the increased need for high-performance materials.

“The taste for milk and milk products, for example, is driving growth in the dairy products industry, requiring the use of HPP materials such as polysulfones,” Johnson said. “Our expertise insures that such parts will be produced efficiently, and with good quality on the proper equipment, so that the end user is satisfied. We have seen inferior replacement parts infiltrate the Chinese domestic market, obviously made without regard to proper material selection or design. We offer the solution to this problem.”

* Udel P1700 NT polysulfone is a registered trademark of Solvay Advanced Materials
** Trademark of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP BV.

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